Daizen Maeda

One of the few bright lights today, referee gave him no protection, can see why he gets frustrated and eventually lashes out, they were clattering him all day without repercussions.

One of the challenges on him today was a red, if we are going by what he’s been sent off for this season. Kicked him in the knee with force, don’t even think the hun got a card. Disgusting performance by the ref.

 

Celtic talisman Daizen Maeda is a doubt for Japan's World Cup party this week after picking up a knock in their derby defeat to Rangers.


The 27-year-old netted his 29th goal of the season for club and country in the weekend loss at Parkhead to Rangers.

He is also a key player now for Japan - who could become the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup if they defeat Bahrain at Saitama Stadium after surging nine points clear of Australia after just six games in their group.

However, Maeda didn't train with the squad and went through his own personal routine and is rated as a doubt for the game


The Japanese FA stated: "Daizen Maeda did not train with the main group after suffering from a bruised leg and undertook his own individual programme.

"He will be assessed before the game."

Maeda is looking for his fifth goal for Japan in what will be his 23rd cap if he makes it.

 

Targeted and injured. No protection from the ref at all. Disgrace.

 

Good now Kyogo will tell him to stay put at Celtic

 

£1.5 mill for this guy was an absolute steal...

 

Hate seeing player threads get bumped to the top during international windows always get me scared they have got a bad injury.

 

Will go down as one of our best value for money signings in recent times..

No bad for a guy that was pretty under appreciated and divided opinion before January (by myself included)..

 

No minutes for Daizen today against Bahrain

 

It’s nuts when him and Hatate can’t even get a minute against Bahrain. He’ll probably be keen to move on this summer and you can’t really blame him. He’ll want to make their WC squad.

 

Sounds good to me. Keep him nice and rested.

 

There doesn't exist a planet where Maeda doesn't make the squad. He started their most important games when he was playing at a much worse level for us and their manager loves him.

 

No doubt about it. Even as crazy as their manager seems there is no way he is not picking Maeda.

 

I’m not so sure. Not started in their last 9 games and didn’t get off the bench in some of them. Would say it’s 50/50 the now.

 

He mostly plays behind the striker for them, and they have there biggest talents there. Think if Maeda didn’t pick up a knock in training it’s very possible he starts up top, the manager loves him. Kubo, Minamino and usually Mitoma who wasn’t available this game is the main competition.

 

Daizen Maeda has brushed off talk of a summer exit from Celtic, as he previewed Japan’s World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia.


The attacker has been in fine form this season, scoring 29 goals in all competitions for Celtic, both domestically and on the European stage. Maeda was spotted training individually last week, though was an unused substitute for Japan’s narrow 1-0 win over Bahrain last Thursday.

When asked by local media about potentially moving on from the Scottish champions this summer to a ‘top 5 league’ side, Maeda’s response was telling. He told Tokyo Sports: "The results are the result of all the hard work I've put in up until now.

"Up until now, I've been in the mix, but the ball just hasn't come to me, so now it feels like the ball is coming to me. I haven't really made any changes.

"Now I can be part of the national team, but I think in a year things can change a lot, so in order to win this competition, I want to do well against Saudi Arabia.

"I have scored a few goals at home so it will be important to keep doing that and focus on results with the national team. I need to achieve more and more results with my own team and keep aiming higher.

"That's where it all starts."


Maeda continued: "I don't think about whether I can't play for the team I go to or not, I just fight for the team I am with and that's all I want to do. I think it would be good if I can do that."

Maeda joined Celtic on Hogmanay 2021, alongside fellow J1 League players Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate from Gamba Osaka and Kawasaki Frontale, respectively. The versatile forward was joint-top scorer in Japan that season, sharing the accolade with former Tottenham Hotspur target Leandro Damiao.

He reunited with former Yokohama F Marinos manager Ange Postecoglou at Celtic, where the pair won four trophies together in under two years

 

Starting tonight v Saudi Arabia.

 

Please * he doesn't get injured. * these international games